Why preventive care is important

Remember the old saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? This can be especially true when it comes to preventive health care. Maintaining or improving your health is important - and a focus on regular preventive care, along with following the advice of your doctor, can help you stay healthy.

Rotavirus infection

Definition
Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral infection.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Viruses cause 30 to 40% of cases of infectious diarrhea in the U.S. and viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness, after upper respiratory infections.

Many types of viruses can cause gastroenteritis but the most common are rotavirus and norwalk virus. Rotavirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in children and can also occur in adults exposed to children with the virus. Norwalk virus causes group-related or institutional diarrhea with peak frequency during the winter. Norwalk-like viruses are common in school-age children.

These viruses are often found in contaminated food or drinking water. The viruses cause about 40% of group-related diarrheal illnesses. They affect older children and adults and are more frequent during the winter months. Symptoms appear within 4 to 48 hours after exposure to the contaminated food or water. The viruses are usually spread by the fecal-oral route.

Rotavirus causes severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Severe dehydration and death can occur in the young age group. It is responsible for up to 50% of the hospitalizations of children with diarrhea. Outbreaks may also occur in geriatric settings such as nursing homes. By the age of 3 most children have acquired antibodies to the virus.

Gastroenteritis affects the young, the elderly, and immunosuppressed people most severely.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain

Abdominal cramping

Diarrhea

Nausea

Vomiting

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Unintentional weight loss

Vomiting blood (very rare)

Excessive sweating

Clammy skin

Muscle pain

Joint stiffness

Incontinence

Fever

Chills

Poor feeding

Signs and tests
Stool assays for the viruses can identify the specific agent. A stool culture may rule out bacterial causes of the illness.

Treatment

The objective of treatment is to replace fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals) lost by diarrhea. Antibiotic therapy is not effective in viral illness. Antidiarrheal medications are generally not given, as they may prolong the infectious process. Self-care measures to avoid dehydration include drinking electrolyte solutions (available over-the-counter) to replace fluids lost by diarrhea.

People with diarrhea who are unable to take fluids by mouth because of nausea may need intravenous fluids. This is especially true in small children.

People taking diuretics who develop diarrhea may be advised by their health care provider to stop taking the diuretic during the acute episode.

CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE YOU STOP TAKING A PRESCRIBED MEDICATION!

DO NOT give anti-diarrheal medications to children unless directed to do so by a health care provider. Since the risk of dehydration is greater in infants and young children, parents should closely monitor the number of wet diapers changed per day when the child is sick. Electrolyte and fluid replacement solutions for children are available in food and drug stores. Juice, soda or water do not replace electrolytes lost from vomiting or diarrhea. Children with diarrhea often benefit from dietary modifications until the diarrhea subsides.

Expectations (prognosis)
Most infections will resolve spontaneously. Children may become severely ill from dehydration caused by diarrhea.

Complications
Dehydration is the main complication. Rarely, severe reactions may occur.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.

It's easy to make a financial decision based on what you need right now, but making an informed choice will benefit you in the long run. Meet a former Red Sox pitcher who picked security over an uncertain future